Showing posts with label Austra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Austra. Show all posts

Friday, May 07, 2021

Enlightened Listening for May 7

It's the first Friday of the month, and that means we're once again moving our weekly new music playlist, Enlightened Listening, to Bandcamp. As with last month's Bandcamp Friday, I've put the playlist on BNDCMPR here to streamline your listening experience. Again, I've opted to keep the releases in alphabetical order by artist name as this incredibly diverse compilation is nearly impossible to mix smoothly.

The nine-release, sixty-nine track (at the moment) compilation opens with a pre-order of A. G. Cook's massive LP. While there are forthcoming remixes from Boys Noize, GRRL and Baauer, it already features the likes of umru, Kai Whiston and DJ Warlord. Following that is the live recording of Austra's solo acoustic performance of HiRUNDiN. Rounding out the first three releases is Boys Noize's Defected follow-up to "Mvinline."

The middle third of this week's Enlightened Listening features a trio of raucous releases, starting with six slappers from Brodinski & Modulaw. Even wilder, Chippy Nonstop and dj genderfluid's self-titled LP gets cheeky with all kinds of rave energy. Headed further hardcore and break-driven, India Jordan's Watch Out! is simply wicked.

Finally, we head into the final three releases with the IDM journey through sound and consciousness that is Little Snake's lengthy titled LP, A Fragmented Love Story, Written By The Infinite Helix Architect. Another release that's likely to leave you doing double-takes is LUXXURY's Edits Vol. 7, which features a couple handfuls of fabulous disco, synthpop edits of classics from The Rolling Stones, Black Box, Alexander Robotnik and more. Finally, our lone freebie, a treat for Diablo II fans in Priori's DnB twist on the "Tristram Theme."

Find each release linked individually below, note ^ for pre-order and * for free download, and stream the full playlist via BNDCMPR here.

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Bump In The Hump: January 20 (Season 9, Episode 55)

Tracklist
  • Crimsen & Feyln ft. Oliver Wickham - Grey Skies (Gorge Remix)
  • Hatiras & Sebb Junior - You Can Be Loved
  • Myd & Mac DeMarco - Moving Men (Metronomy Remix)
  • Tiga - Colours So Bright
  • Rochelle Jordan - GOT EM
  • Jacques Greene - Thaw
  • akaMatisse - On My Way To Heaven
  • TiKA - I Would Die 4 U
  • DYZPHORIA & Deadcrow - YOU
  • Apashe ft. Geoffroy - Distance (KOAN Sound Remix)
  • Echomatics - You And I
  • The Burner Brothers - Live Again (ft. ill-esha)
  • Imran Graffiti - Sisyphus
  • Zeal & LUCA - 4 Walls
  • The Arcturians & Hyukari - Your Touch
  • Stonebank - Scared
  • Leo Wood & Reflektor - Perfect Imperfection
  • SZA - 20 Something (Knerv Remix)
  • Kotek - System Of Chaos
  • Austra ft. Cecile Believe - Mountain Baby (Octo Octa's Contemplation Mix)
  • Dezza - Cosmos (Bryn Liedl Remix)
  • Thomas Garcia - Sunset Blue (Joluca Remix)
  • Jackman Jones - For The People
  • Lewis Funktion & Cris - Underground
  • DJ Susan - Lambo

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Kölsch Open-To-Close at REX, 2019

Yesterday, Kölsch shared his epic open-to-close set from the legendary REX nightclub in Paris. Spanning nearly seven hours, the 2019 mix allows the Danish DJ to showcase his musical multitudes through stacks upon stacks of tracks, released or otherwise.

Literally welcoming listeners with Château Flight's "Welcome" as the third track in, Kölsch keeps things quite cool for the first half-hour before Frank & Tony's "Bring The Sun" begins to warm things up. Shortly after crossing the hour mark, we're greeted by the familiar sound of Austra's Katie Stelmanis as part of the Patrice Bäumel remix of Claptone's "La Esperanza." Continuing to climb this mountain of music, the essence of Kölsch really starts to take shape in this second hour as we're treated to a masterful mix of all kinds of progressive house/melodic techno. In that section alone, there are massive, moving cuts from Carl Craig in "Futurelovetheme" and Bawrut in "Pronto Arpeggio."

Not long into the third hour, Kölsch begins to lay out his recently released album Now Here No Where, starting with its title track. While I'm hesitant to say this hour is the hardest hitting, as the fifth features Alex Gopher's "Aurora" and The Stooges' "I Wanna Be Your Dog," it is perhaps the most taught and driving techno section with all kinds of acid and tension. With a couple brighter and more uplifting all-time classics in Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" and Kölsch's own "Cassiopeia" coming in the fourth hour, the up and down nature of this audio odyssey becomes unmistakable. And while that fact ought to have been clear from the jump, it's important to remember that this was a live DJ set, so presumably, Kölsch was playing to the audience and not merely curating in a vacuum. That said, I think it's clear that the club was absolutely bumping by the four and a half-hour mark as the Dane dives into an incredible run of tracks ranging from his all-time classics "Opa" and Grey/KIR to Circuit Breaker's "Systematic" and the KiNK remix of "Acid Track."

Closing with the laidback likes of "Rose Rouge," his own jazzy offering "Remind You" and the grand finale, Galaxy 2 Galaxy's "Amazon," Kölsch's nearly seven-hour journey through sound is a wonderous ride that reminds us of both his captivating catalogue and of the majesty of an open-to-close set. Stream it below, find a partially complete tracklisting here, and follow Kölsch's socials at the bottom.
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Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Top 100 Tracks Of 2020: 50-26

Continuation of the list started Monday from 100-76, which includes my disclaimer/preamble. The second quarter of the list can be found here: from 75-51. Find Soundcloud playlist here and Spotify here.

#50: Apashe - Dead (ft. Yizzy)/Rain (ft. Kroy)
In a bit of a cop-out, I've combined two Apashe tracks to save me from picking just one. I feel justified in this act because Apashe did the same himself as part of his live performance of Renaissance (see here). Fitting together perfectly, "Dead" and "Rain" showcase the kind of killer orchestral and cinematic quality that makes Renaissance such a stunning success. Teeming with drama, these are both momentous tracks that make masterful use of their unique vocal features. And while awesome on their own, as is each track in Renaissance, they are better together.
I swear, if The Pointers Sisters were to release "Automatic" today, it'd assuredly be part of all year-end lists. The quality with which Tensnake is working is obvious, but he and Fiora have done a brilliant job with this faithful, funky house cover. While it doesn't have quite the same life as the original, this succeeds through its moody, rolling groove and reliable dancefloor delivery.

One of my favourite Afterlife tracks. Tender, touching techno that warms the cockles of your heart. In fact, it clearly has a heart and soul, something rare in techno. While the eyes and ears are drawn to the bright sparkling top notes, the importance of the subtle strength of the strings and the deep foundation of the drums cannot be understated. Majestic and monumental.

There aren't many more cool creations in this list. DnB is both inherently cool and undeniably in vogue, but the use of a standing bass and an organ is just so stylish. Befitting of its name, the shadowy underworld imagery is rife. It sounds as though it were the theme for a show called Galactic Gumshoe. But beyond the impeccable aura, Rolodex reminds us of his legendary status with a clinic on DnB delivery.

I still go back and forth on which is my favourite cut from the epic Unity compilation, but most times I end up here. A story I want to be told over and over again, there's just something so beautiful and inviting about Alfa Romero's rollout. It cradles you in its strident synths, swaddling you with its warmth and resplendence. Even though it waivers throughout its sensuous serenade, it strikes me as confident and calm, setting sail for the unknown. Just like Mathame above, and so many other Afterlife tracks, this succeeds in showcasing the soul in a techno record.

A bit of a cheeky inclusion here as 45 Roller takes the 45th spot. It just goes to show how arbitrary a list like this is. That said, these are all good tracks, equally worthy of our praise and attention. As I said when I first wrote about this in August, Shy FX keeps the soul of the original sample which gives the whole track an incredible, organic feel. Much like the actual rain and the vinyl crackle, each element in Shy FX's bag of tricks is used to fantastic effect, keeping the track tight and full of feeling.

Wednesday, December 09, 2020

Bump In The Hump Sneak Peek: Best Of 2020 (Part 1, Groovy)

It's year in review time as tonight marks the first of two episodes devoted to Bump In The Hump's Best Of 2020. This week will focus on groovy tracks, while next week turns its attention to the heavy hitters. Of course, due to time restrictions, I was not able to fit all of the selections into the two-hour episode, so I've opted to share some honourable mentions here. While not in the episode, I want to be clear that these tracks are indeed part of the best of the year; however, they simply would not fit.

Friday, November 13, 2020

Enlightened Listening for November 13

Another week is done and with it comes another installment of Enlightened Listening. This week's playlist features three highly anticipated releases alongside more than a handful of pleasant surprises. 

Starting with the anticipated offerings, ASHE launches his new label Ocean Dark with two of his trademark organic and chilling concoctions. TSHA's Flowers EP finds its conclusion with two more awesome and inspired collabs in "Renegade" and "Demba" featuring Ell Murphy and Trio Da Kali, respectively. Finally, after more than a year of anticipation and apparently five years in the making, The Vision's The Vision has come to fruition. With a handful of fabulous singles and countless killer collabs, it has the makings of an album of the year contender.

As for the aforementioned pleasant surprises, Sultan + Shepard start things off with another incredible EP on This Never Happened, continuing their ridiculously high-quality run of releases there. Another unstoppable pairing crops up next as Clarian returns to Anjunadeep with sublime Sunbeam. Staying with dynamic duos, Bonobo and TEED deliver a divine b-side to brilliant "Heartbreak." Rounding out the stunning selection of remixes of HiRUDiN, Octo Octa offers up an epic take on "Mountain Baby." The Prospa boys continue their incredible run with the classic vibes of "The Thrill," which after seeing a tweet say it sounds like Black Mirror's "San Junipero" I can't get out of my head. Finally, the playlist concludes with two top-notch remixes of The ShapeshiftersBilly Porter led "Finally Ready."

Stream this week's Enlightened Listening below and find each individual release linked at the bottom.









Friday, October 30, 2020

Enlightened Listening for October 30

We've made it through another week and that means it's time to look back at its releases with the weekly new music playlist, Enlightened Listening. There's a whole bunch of my personal favourites among some of my most trusted labels, and it ranges from indietronic pop to dystopic bangers. It starts with the genius of Jim-E Stack's EPHEMERA and moves through into dancier joints from three pleasurable pairings in Myd & Mac Demarco, Planningtorock's remix of Austra, and the Purple Disco Machine remix of Royal Blood. The next foursome features a fabulous take on The Specials' "Ghost Town," an ingenious and immersive album from So Durand, an epic and dancey remix from SOPHIE, and finally yet another infectious cut from Overmono. Turning the page to house, Cloverdale opens a run of five house releases with his debut release on his exciting new label Vibrancy. "Racket Tactics," like all the releases on the label, is available free (with stems for remixing) and comes paired with customized merch. Gorgon City then receive an electrifying remix of "Burning," which is followed by a trio of top-notch house EPs. Going full steam ahead to close things out we get Netsky's first album in four years, an incredibly energetic single from High Contrast and the aforementioned dystopic destruction of plusgood, who closes things out with his trademark Big Brother inspired bangers. Enjoy!
















Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Bump In The Hump: September 23 (Season 9, Episode 43)


Tracklist
  • Eekkoo - Barefoot
  • Röyksopp - Remind Me (Sean Roman's Too Late Edit)
  • Mild Minds - DESTINATIONS (Jacques Greene Remix)
  • mai.la - Maybe ୧(ಠ益ಠ)୨ (Pat Lok Remix)
  • TWOGOOD - Funky Beat
  • Fabrikate - Flame (Mighty Mouse Remix)
  • Nick Bike & Adam Doubleyou - 2GETHER
  • Maddy O'Neal ft. Mandy Groves - Forgive Me (Sparkee Remix)
  • The Funk Hunters x CMC & Silenta - Tribute (Manic Focus Remix)
  • Big Gigantic - Where I Wanna Be (Kotek Remix)
  • Blanke - Zero
  • Wraz - Soundboy
  • Trench Foot - Multiverse
  • Something Something & Kleu - All My Life
  • RMS & Dub Defense - Never, Never
  • Marcus Visionary - Hide & Seek
  • Black Marvin - Dawn Of Dark
  • Coka Cobra - Vampire
  • Lewis Funktion - Lockdown
  • Cloverdale - Bakerstreet
  • MSTRKRFT - Chords Again
  • Austra - Anywayz (Avalon Emerson 14th Life Version)
  • ASHE - Still Dreaming
  • Liudicrous - New Era
  • TDJ - Can't Be True
  • Buildings And Food - Particle Dream

Bump In The Hump Sneak Peek: Austra - Anywayz (Avalon Emerson 14th Life Version)

Of the many standout tracks in tonight's episode of Bump In The Hump, there may be no more stunning than the combination of Avalon Emerson and Austra. The grand finale to the former's just released DJ-Kicks album, the new 14th Life Version of HiRUDiN's opening number "Anywayz" is a momentous and masterfully produced epic. Building a serene, yet somehow haunting, soundscape for Katie Stelmanis' vocals to emerge from, Avalon Emerson has struck gold with this absolutely gorgeous remix. Stream it now below, get is as part of the DJ-Kicks album here, and catch it in the mix on Bump In The Hump tonight, live from 7-9 EDT on Radio Humber, or after the fact as cataloged on Mixcloud here.
FOLLOW AUSTRA: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER
FOLLOW AVALON EMERSON: FACEBOOK SOUNDCLOUD TWITTER

Wednesday, May 06, 2020

Bump In The Hump: May 6 (Season 9, Episode 28)


Tracklist
  • Betamaxx - Disco Dreamgirl (FM Attack Remix)
  • Sono - Keep Control (Jerome Robins 'Trinity' Remix)
  • Colin Thomas - Funky Horn
  • Cloverdale - Talkin' To Ya
  • Lewis Funktion - Warning! (SageThaCat Remix)
  • Brock Edwards & RYME - Wonderland (Jacques Waty Remix)
  • Andy Clockwork - Drs. Orders (Landon Terrace Remix)
  • Holy Fuck ft. Angus Andrew - Deleters (APRE Remix)
  • HERO - CRY BABY (Lo Stesso Remix)
  • Ryan Hemsworth - Sun Up
  • Vincent & The Griswolds - Lost & In Love (LILO Remix)
  • NXSTY & FrostTop - LOW
  • John Rolodex - Sick & Twisted (2006 Munich VIP)
  • Justin Timberlake - SexyBack (Just John Flip)
  • Fisher - You Little Beauty (René LaVice Burn It Higher Bootyleg)
  • Protostar - Galaxies
  • Wraz - Contact
  • Metafloor - Justice
  • SYN - Synners
  • Drazius - Critical Level
  • Sam Lamar - The Hierophant (ft. Fly Jordy)
  • Code:Pandorum - Streets Of Rage (ft. Kid Bookie)
  • 13 - Armageddon
  • Austra - I Am Not Waiting
  • plusol - Limitbreaker
  • Smol - Seeding Change
  • Limón Limón - Trying Not To Think About You (Bit Funk Remix)
  • Jessy Lanza - Face
  • Melad & SELV - Specular
  • Martin Garrix ft. Clinton Kane - Drown (Pat Lok Remix)
  • Yung Bae ft. bbno$ - Bad Boy (SMLE Remix)

Friday, May 01, 2020

Enlightened Listening for May 1

After the massive success that was Bandcamp's first Friday foray into forgoing their cut of revenue, the popular online music outlet is turning the trick again. As I did last month this week's Enlightened Listening is again hosted on Bandcamp, but with the lack of a playlist creator, you'll have to scroll through the alphabetized list below. I've included brief descriptions, but really the music should speak for itself. Be sure to support the artists if you enjoy. If it's pay what you want, a follow or share is the least you can do. Have a great weekend!

Austra - HiRUDiN
So often a stunning combination of spine-tingling vocals and moving musical beds. She doesn't release often, but when she does it's always incredibly well done. Standout tracks: "Anywayz," "Risk It" and "I Am Not Waiting."

Bakongo - Bopster / Anytime
The kind of drum dominated tracks we've come to expect from Roska Kicks & Snares. Incredibly crisp productions all around, but it's the glow of "Anytime" that makes it my favourite of the two.

Boys Noize - STRICTLY BVNKER
Twitch live analog sessions from Boys Noize's 'BVNKER'. Often dirty and distorted, these tracks are fire and scream chaos. And that's the brilliance of Boys Noize, he cultivates that chaos and somehow culls it into a singular theme. My favourite: "Moonsrad."

Calibre - Shelflife Six
13 track only ever heard in his sets, this album spans 20 years and showcases the ridiculous quality and lifespan of Calibre. One of the best examples of the breadth of musicality at the heart of DnB. Standout tracks: "Things Like This," "Crazy For You" and "Be Beautiful."

Daktyl - Ozymandias Beat Tape 1
Simply one of my favourite artists when it comes to creating soundscapes. Uber cool and equally unique, Daktyl's productions are always inspired and more than that, his musical ability is always front and center. One of the better beat tapes you'll ever come across. Standout tracks: "A Slow Walk," "IQ" and "Warning Signs."

East Avenue - Inner City Dubs Vol. 8
Two deep, funky jungle/garage tracks that ooze with groove. Both are sure to bring the dance-floor to life, but I'm more partial to the gooey nature of "My Future."

Good Room - 'Alone Together' Good Room Relief Compilation
A diverse compilation ranging from disco to techno with the likes of Martyn, Baltra, The Juan MacLean and Fort Romeau. There's wicked rollers, balmy bass-heavy bangers and even a slow burning jam or two. Standout tracks: "Trip Into The Good Room," "Diamond Head" and "Why Want."

Heller & Farley Project - Ultra Flava (Remixes)
Defected really know how to tease, I've been waiting for the David Penn remix for a while and it's finally here. It features his incredible work on the keys and just feels so fabulous. The Darius Syrossian mix is nothing to scoff at either with its masterful mix of atmosphere and power.

Ital Tek - Outland
An engrossing and adventurous album that is sure to transport its listeners to incredible new worlds. At times utterly atmospheric, others truly turnt and twisted. An exceedingly adept electronic offering that largely evades the foreign feel of electronics. Standout tracks: "Open Heart," "Deadhead" and "Oblivion Theme."

Leonce - Nothing To Declare
Something about Leonce's productions, dating back to Insurgency, screams godly to me. Equally almighty, this new EP delivers the dope drum work I expected alongside unholy atmosphere and killer club appeal. Absolutely love "Hyperion."

Plastician - Deep In The Drives
A lush collection of deep dub from the legend. The moods and scenes in these tracks are immaculate and moving. They're largely chill and laidback, but there's a couple sick cuts as well. Standouts: "Alone Time," "Gully" and "Jackal Riddim."

plusol - Lineage
I've been touting this through its singles and I'm glad it came out today so I could include it in this list. It features plusol's unique combination of electronic and organic instrumentation, alongside his cinematic approach that is both beautiful and banging. Listen all the way through, but if you need one selling point, look no further than the fabulous finale "Limitbreaker."

R&S Records - In Order To Care
A massive compilation with the likes of Fracture, Or:la and Special Request offering up sensational singles. Wildly varied through its 43 tracks, but all worthy of the R&S Records stamp. All proceeds go to PPE for the NHS, only further making the £10 price tag, for so many tracks, even more of a steal.

Rohaan - Bleach
The meteoric rise of Rohaan continues and rightfully so as Bleach is brilliant. Mat Zo and Tek Genesis are killer cosigns, just as the tracks here are capable of killing with their heart palpitating qualities.

Too Slow To Disco - Yacht Disco Edits
Another massive compilation, this time featuring the likes of LeBRON, Air Zaire and Yuksek. These edits all share the same sublime thread of gorgeous disco and get off to an incredible start with the divine "Waiting," my favourite of the bunch. Other standouts include: "Hold Tight" and "Right On Time."

Unknown Mobile - Leafy Edits Vol. 1
I'm partial to all of Unknown Mobile's edits so no surprise he's on this list. Four fun and often energized cuts here. "Paradise" is just that, while my other favourite "Underground" is shimmering and gorgeous.